Basque Separatists Get Best-Ever Result in Spain’s Regional Vote

Bildu is a party that has historic ties to ETA terrorirsts
Socialist Prime Minister relies on separatists to govern

Pedro Sanchez speaks during the Basque Socialist Party (PSE) closing campaign meeting in Bilbao on April 19.Photographer: Ander Gillenea/AFP/Getty Images

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By Rodrigo Orihuela and Thomas Gualtieri

April 21, 2024 at 8:54 PM UTC

Updated on

April 22, 2024 at 10:19 AM UTC

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A far-left Basque separatist party with historic ties to the now-defunct ETA terrorist group secured its best result ever in legislative elections of the affluent northern Spanish region.

Bildu on Sunday won six more seats than in the 2020 election, the highest number of votes since the political party’s founding in 2011. It marks a significant moment for the party, which has angered many in the country with its ambiguity over denouncing Basque terrorism.